President Donald Trump said Sunday that Senate Republicans should use the "nuclear option" to pass a long-term budget without a continuing resolution if lawmakers cannot reach a compromise to end the government shutdown.

The Republican-controlled House passed a spending bill on Thursday night to fund the government through Feb. 16, including the extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for six years. However, the Senate failed to pass their bill during a late-night vote on Friday.

Senate Republicans needed 60 votes in order to overcome a filibuster and pass the bill, but only five Democrats voted for the bill, effectively guaranteeing a shutdown since the Republicans hold a slim majority with 51 seats, and all but four of them voted for the bill.

Trump castigated Senate Democrats for voting against the spending bill to keep the government open and that they care more about protecting illegal immigrants and the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration program—which expires in March—than the military and border security.

"Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!" Trump tweeted.

Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!

Cameron CawthorneEmail Cameron | Full Bio | RSSCameron Cawthorne is a Media Analyst for the Washington Free Beacon. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2013. Prior to joining Free Beacon, Cameron was a Legislative Assistant in the Virginia General Assembly and a War Room Analyst at America Rising.